- The burglary
basics:
- Make your home look
occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
- Lock all outside doors
and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if
it is for a short time, lock your doors.
- Leave lights on when
you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time,
connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the
evening and off during the day.
- Keep your garage door
closed and locked.
- Don't allow daily deliveries
of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange
with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend
or neighbor to take them regularly.
- Arrange for your lawn
to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
- Check your locks on
doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
- Pushbutton locks on
doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks
on all your outside doors.
- Sliding glass doors
are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
- Other windows may need
better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
- Don't
tempt a thief:
- Lawn mowers, barbecues
and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
- Always lock your garden
sheds and garages.
- Use curtains on garage
windows.
- Never leave notes on
your door such as "Gone shopping."
- Locks…get
the best:
- No lock, regardless
of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks
provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your
situation.
- Change locks immediately
if your keys are lost or stolen.
- When moving into a
new home, have all locks changed.
- Targeting
the Outside:
- Have adequate exterior
lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
- Trim trees and shrubs
so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
- Make sure your door
hinges are on the inside.
- Windows:
- Most windows can be
pinned for security.
- Drill a 3/16"
hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame
and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole
to secure the window.
- Alarms:
- An alarm system is
excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners,
especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm
systems on the market.
- Make several inquiries
to different companies for the best security system available
to you.
- If Your
Home Is Broken Into:
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or
door:
- Do not enter - the
perpetrator may still be inside.
- Use a neighbor's phone
to call police.
- Do not touch anything
or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
- Write down the license
plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
- Note the descriptions
of any suspicious persons.
- Other
precautions you should take:
- Never leave keys under
doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding
places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
- Keep a detailed inventory
of your valuable possessions, including a description of the
items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers,
and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good
precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic
or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques.
Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping
your inventory.
- Trim your shrubbery
around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
- Be a good neighbor.
If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call
911 immediately.
- Mark your valuables
with your driver's license number with an engraver. Marked items
are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police
to recover.
- Form a Neighborhood
Watch Group. We can help you work with your neighbors to improve
security and reduce risk of burglary.
- Consider installing
a burglar alarm system.
-
-
- The MOST important
thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any
SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood.
And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes!
-
- Remember the three
L's of Crime Prevention: LIGHTS, LOCKS & the LAW!
- Light up your residence,
lock your doors at all times, and call the Law when you see something
suspicious.
|